Rhodes, Crete, and Continental Greece

Today, we delve into the rich history of Athens with a city tour guided by a local expert. We'll visit the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos Stadium, and the bustling squares of the city center. The tour concludes at the Acropolis, a symbol of ancient Greece (entry not included). In the evening, we'll head to the Plaka area, known for its quaint Greek bars and vibrant folklore.

Arrive in Rhodes early in the morning. We'll embark on a city tour, exploring the impressive walled citadel and the old town that bears the marks of various cultures that have inhabited it. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Today, we explore the island of Rhodes. We'll visit Filerimos, a hilltop village with a small monastery, and Lindos, a village dominated by a medieval fortress and Greek Acropolis. Enjoy the white streets of Lindos, relax on its beaches, or climb to the Acropolis (on a donkey, if you wish). After lunch, we return to Rhodes for some free time. In the evening, we'll transfer to the airport for a flight to Crete, landing in the city of Heraklion.

In the morning, we travel along the coast towards the west of Crete. We'll visit Rethymno, a beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin, and Chania, a captivating city with an impressive fortress and stately mansions. We return to Heraklion at the end of the day.

Today, we'll visit the Palace of Knossos, where you can learn about the Minoan culture that gave rise to Greek culture four thousand years ago. We then cross the high mountains in the center of the island, traveling to the southern area. We visit Agia Galini, a picturesque town with labyrinthine streets, a fishing port, and popular taverns. Enjoy lunch and, if you wish, a swim in the sea. We return to Heraklion in the evening.

We'll leave for the east of the island, visiting the small town of Kritsa and the 13th-century church of Panagia Kera, known for its frescoes. We then head to Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port. After a walk and lunch, we'll visit Elounda, a beautiful tourist enclave. From here, we'll take a boat ride to the island-citadel of Spinalonga, an ancient Venetian fortress that later served as a leprosarium. We return to Heraklion for the night.

Early in the morning, we'll transfer to the port and take a fast ferry to the island of Santorini. We'll visit Oia, the most spectacular town on the island, and Fira, the island's capital. You can choose to descend by cable car or donkey to the port, where the cruise ships arrive. Later, we'll return to the ferry port to take a fast ferry back to Athens, arriving at midnight.

We depart early in the morning towards the North of Greece. We'll stop in Kamena Vourla, a beautiful seaside town, before proceeding to Kastraki, a picturesque village with stunning views of the valley. We'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora, known for its monasteries perched atop towering rocks. Dinner is included in Kalambaka.